WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Make selection of GSIC, SIC fair
The current selection process for Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner (GSIC) and State Information Commissioner (SIC) should not be stage managed and a mere eyewash. The selection process has to be free, fair, transparent and not vitiated by political inter meddling.
The Right to Information Act is a powerful and potent tool to expose corruption and maladministration, and in this direction an independent and effective Information Commission is a vital mechanism that has to be in place. To ensure proper implementation of the Right to Information Act, the Information Commission should comprise of independent minded persons of integrity, who would not succumb to the pressures and pulls of politicians in power. Their primary focus must be to defend the rights and liberty of individuals to have access to Government information, files and documents pertaining to the Governmental operations, performance and decisions.
The Government is in the process of selecting the next GSIC and a SIC. Thirty-two candidates have applied for the post of GSIC while 25 are in the fray to be a SIC. Twenty of these aspiring candidates have applied for both the posts. The applicants include retired bureaucrats, former judges, advocates, journalists, activists, serving officials and even a politician. Over a dozen of the applicants trying their luck this time around were unsuccessful in their earlier attempts for a post at the State Information Commission.
The government in September advertised both the posts for which Eminence in Public life is absolutely mandatory with knowledge and experience in the field of Law, Science &Technology, Social Service, Management, Mass media, Administration and Governance. Both the posts carry a handsome monthly salary of Rs 2, 25,000 besides other perks. The term of office for both the posts is five years but they cannot continue in office after attaining 65 years.
A committee headed by the Chief Secretary shortlists the candidates and the final selection will be done by a high level committee headed by the Chief Minister and comprising of the Leader of the Opposition along with a Minister nominated by the Chief Minister.
It is imperative that the best and brightest are selected for these coveted positions. May Justice and Fair play prevail to ensure openness and transparency in the functioning of Government which is paramount. Failure to do so will erode the faith and trust of the very people it is designed to serve.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Is Pele the greatest player?
Maradona died a week back but experts are still analysing whether he is really the all time best. According to some world renown soccer journalists, including one Englishman Ralph Shaw from Kuwait Times who all observed all the best players during the peak of their form, say that Argentinian Alfredo Di Stefano and Hungarian Ferenc Puskas occupy the first and second places respectively, being magnificent goal scorers, both together played for Real Madrid.
Inspite of being so perfect in all the departments of the game, they were ignored because they were seen exhibiting their brand of soccer very little time by the little number of spectators and officials too. Their publicity did not reach far and wide in the absence of wide TV coverage. Those great soccer analysts citing their vast knowledge on this topic and all the best players they have seen in person and in action, placed Pele on 3rd spot and Maradona on 4th since he was not a perfect.
I have seen some visuals of Di Stefano and Puskas which really mesmerised me to accept them as great but surely not as great as Pele whose forte lies in using both his legs almost with equal ease, perfect in aerial duels out beating even most of the tallest defenders, magical acts on the field making his opponents like fools, accuracy in shooting, etc. His greatest tactics brought by him alone to perfection are: (1) Play the ball off an opponent’s leg (2) Cycle Kick (3) Banana Kick.
Pele was the strong reader of the game and psychology of his opponents and accordingly changed his game. He was the fittest players and his 100 metres running record was 11 seconds when he retired from Brazil XI in 1974. According to me Pele is the best among all.
A Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Pay heed to this clarion call
It is probably for the first time that the Church has waded into the vexatious issue of the Centre-funded linear projects cutting across Mollem, the green lungs of Goa. The clergy has exhorted that we have a collective responsibility to oppose such destructive initiatives which will do little good for the present generation as also for the generations to come. This planet is our home, it sustains us, feeds us, and nourishes us throughout our lifetime and in the end it also accepts us back in its bosom when we die (for you were born of dust and to dust thou shall return), in effect it is a doting second parent .
A video has also emerged of our late former CM wherein with great vehemence he is seen opposing double tracking and coal handling, it is very shameful that the present incumbent who is remote controlled by the Centre has been lying through his teeth about these projects. Nature has already signalled to us through the recently spotted algal blooms in the coastal areas (a result of global warming induced by man discharging pollutants and plastic into the sea ) that it is going to push back against our wanton defilement. We worship a million Gods in a billion forms but majorly we fail to respect one God who provides for all our needs. The law of karma is fast catching up , we get back in twice the measure what we give out to the world. It is not surprising that the earth is regularly buffeted by cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, famine and disease.There is not one hope in Hell for humankind if we still don't read the writing on the wall.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
